While some movement is starting to occur during the transfer season, one Celtic player appears certain to stay in Glasgow.
Gustaf Lagerbielke, the forgotten man of Celtic, is ‘no closer’ to leaving the team, despite rumors of interest from Italy, sources say.
The Swedish international joined the Scottish champions on a five-year contract in the summer, coming from Allsvenskan side Elfsborg. He replaced the departing Carl Starfelt, but after a rough start to life in Scotland, he appeared certain to leave soon.
Though it was believed that several Serie A teams were interested in signing the Swede on a season-long loan, reports now state that the interest in the center defender has “cooled,” leaving the 23-year-old’s future unclear as the season enters its second half.
Even though he came in with a solid reputation, Lagerbielke has fallen behind Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers in the middle of defense, with Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh seemingly Brendan Rodgers’ primary choices in backup when they aren’t available. Nat Phillips, another summer acquisition, left the team early after his loan was terminated.
Italian team Genoa may rekindle their interest in the center defender even if interest in him has cooled. Last week, Radu Drăgușin, a Romanian center half, left the club for Tottenham Hotspur in a £20 million move, taking him to work with former Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou. The Italian website TUTTO mercato reports that Lagerbielke has been considered as a potential substitute.
A deal to sign Rapid Vienna winger Nicolas Kuhn is getting closer for the Hoops, as the player is having a medical this afternoon in London. The 24-year-old was drafted in since Daizen Maeda is not playing for Japan at the Asian Cup and summer acquisition Marco Tilio is still having trouble making an impact on the team.
